AuthorTopic: 14 bolt chevy gears  (Read 3931 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline bigbird110

  • Rat Lover
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Referrals: 0
14 bolt chevy gears
« on: July 20, 2014, 03:10:24 AM »
I'm running a 14 bolt chevy rear end with 4.10 gears. The truck has a chevy 305 engine with a 350 transmission. It runs real high RPMs at about 60 mph. My question is am I better off to change transmissions or will I be just as well off to change my gears to 3.42. The gear change would be more expensive but a lot less work than changing shifter, trans mount and driveshaft. A 3.42 is the highest gear I can find for my rear end I just wondered if y'all think it will make a difference? Thanks

Offline lowboy

  • Global Moderator
  • Rat Rods or Nothing
  • *****
  • Posts: 4999
  • Vehicle: 1973 Volkswagen Beetle
  • Activity:
    0.2%
  • BOOG OUT
  • Referrals: 3
Re: 14 bolt chevy gears
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2014, 05:44:23 AM »
think the OD tranny would make you happier as the 4.10 would still give you the Umph off the line and OD would get the mileage up with a slower RPM
life is a ride where you slide into heaven sideways on 4 flats blown motor saying Thank you God what a ride!!!!!

miraclepieco

  • Guest
Re: 14 bolt chevy gears
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2014, 01:42:26 PM »
What RPM's are you turning at 60 mph? How much highway driving do you do?  You have to decide if revving higher than normal on the highway is worth the work and expense of a rear end or transmission change. Maybe you could learn to live with it? Bigger rear tires would help a little.

That being said, I definitely go with the gear change.  Should be cheap and easy to locate a set in a wrecking yard.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2014, 01:44:22 PM by miraclepieco »

Offline hotwheels

  • Rat Rod Builder
  • Administrator
  • Rat Rods or Nothing
  • *****
  • Posts: 9053
  • Vehicle: 1947 Ford Pickup
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Referrals: 9
    • Rat Rod Nation
Re: 14 bolt chevy gears
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2014, 04:11:33 PM »
I would change the gears.
Love building rat rods, driving mustangs, and building websites.

Offline bigbird110

  • Rat Lover
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Referrals: 0
Re: 14 bolt chevy gears
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2014, 03:47:47 PM »
At 55 mph I'm at 2800 rpm's. I talked to a transmission mechanic who told me he had the same issue and the overdrive tranny made little difference because he was still low geared. He said his truck would be through 3 gears before he got under a red light and then shift to overdrive. So I have decided to go with gears first thanks for the comments I will let y'all know what happens gears should be put in by the end of the week.

Offline Jeepenstein

  • Jeep Radical
  • Rat Rodder
  • **
  • Posts: 51
  • Activity:
    0%
  • 700 HP or bust
  • Referrals: 0
14 bolt chevy gears
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2014, 10:10:11 PM »
Tire height choice optimized first, 4 speed overdrive trans second and gears tailored to bring it all together.

I will be running 32" tall tires with a 4R100 (0.71 to 1) trans and 5:25 gears.

I can live with 2300 RPM at 60mph.

Jeff

Ps you can play here:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html
1993 Jeep Yj aka Jeepenstein

Tags: